Summary:
The fact that kids may have forgotten everything about “Finding Nemo” makes it worth taking them to see it again. Throw in the 3D effect and a new “Toy Story” short and you have an enjoyable outing to the theater with the family even if you already own the movie on DVD.

Story:
“Finding Nemo” was originally released in 2003. Now it returns to the big screen in 3D.

Marlin is a clown fish living in the Great Barrier Reef off of Australia. After having lost his wife and most of his kids, he’s extremely protective of his only surviving son, Nemo. Nemo and Marlin love each other, but Nemo has been frustrated by his father’s over protectiveness. Unfortunately, when Nemo defies his father and sneaks off on his own, he’s caught by a diver (who happens to be a dentist). Nemo is taken as a pet fish and placed in a Sydney dentist office aquarium with a variety of other fish.

Marlin desperately chases after his son, but soon loses him. Dory, a fish with a short-term memory problem, helps him try to find Nemo. Thanks to left behind clues, they know where Nemo is. The only problem is getting to him. Together they face the dangers of the ocean including sharks, jellyfish, fishermen, seagulls and more. However, Marlin can only find is son if he learns to let go and trust the friends he meets along the way.

“Finding Nemo” is rated G.

What Worked:
Chances are you already know and love “Finding Nemo.” You also probably already own a copy of it in your DVD collection. So why revisit it again on the big screen? Here are a few good reasons.

First off, even though you may remember it, your kids or kids you know may not remember it. I showed it to my sons who are 10 and 7 several times over the years, but they actually forgot almost everything about it. For them, this was pretty much a completely new movie. My younger kid almost dove into my lap when the barracuda attacked Pearl at the beginning of the film. So for me, just seeing their reactions to it made the trip to the theater worthwhile.

But an even bigger incentive to see it again is for the 3D effect. If any movie was ever made for 3D, it’s “Finding Nemo.” As the fish float on the screen, they literally hover in front of you. Little specks in the water float out of the screen. The 3D effect also allows you to notice textures on the characters you might not have seen before. I was amazed to see the rough skin on Mr. Ray or the individual iridescent scales on Marlin. The 3D gives you a new appreciation for the detail and complexity of the animation. If that’s not enough, then consider that they give you special goggle 3D glasses at this movie. I knew that would convince you.

Finally, “Finding Nemo” is released with a new “Toy Story” short entitled “Partysaurus Rex.” In it, Rex is harassed by Mr. Potato Head for being dull. But when Rex is taken to the bathtub for playtime, he discovers a whole new world of toys we haven’t seen before  bathtub toys. As soon as he arrives, he’s determined to throw caution to the wind and a toy rave ensues featuring bubbles, a light show, loud music, and lots of water… too much water. Anybody with kids knows that bathtub toys are a critical component of any kid’s toy collection. It’s kind of amazing we haven’t seen them in the “Toy Story” universe before now. So this short features all sorts of amazing opportunities for jokes. My kids are quoting them days later.

What Didn’t Work:
If there’s any down side to taking kids to “Finding Nemo” (besides the cost of snacks at the concession stand), it’s that there are some scary elements in it. I actually dug up my old 2003 review of this film and found what I said back then to still be true today:

“Parents might want to be aware that there are some scary moments. For example, while the sharks are more or less good characters, Bruce does go into a frenzy and tries to eat our heroes. Seeing a Great White with black eyes, rows of sharp teeth, a loud voice, and a massive charging body is an awesome sight. Some kids with us weren’t fazed by it while others cowered and hid their eyes. Your kid’s reaction may vary. Marlin’s wife and kids are also all eaten in a rather scary moment. Though it happens off screen, it might be too intense for some kids. Then there’s the basic plot that is about a child being kidnapped. As if kids didn’t have reason enough to be afraid of being snatched, this might play on those fears. Fortunately, it’s buried in enough comedy and animation to not be obvious.”

The Bottom Line:
“Finding Nemo” is better than anything in theaters for kids right now, so it’s well worth revisiting again, especially with the 3D effect and the new “Toy Story” short. Take the family and rediscover it.